Goldberg Group North

Freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness

Freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness

Avalanche danger levels are moderate. Snowdrifts of large size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gulliees and bowls on NW/N/SE facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Below the treeline, avalanches are generally small-sized. Above 2200m avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size.

The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls and slopes near the treeline are filled to the brim. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are near-surface weak layers. Above 2000m the fresh snow and drifts have often been deposited atop faceted crystals near crusts,. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline there is often surface hoar. Above the treeline there is surface hoar evident. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, there are several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rock places or grass-covered slopes.

Final snow showers will gradually slacken off after midnight. Also the stormy winds will ease off, yet remain feelable (80 km/hr at midnight easing to 50 km/hr in early morning). On Wednesday, good visibility and widespread sunshine, some high fog might hamper visibility for lower-level ascents. Winds will be noticeable only at high altitudes of the Tauern and Nockberge (40-50 km/hr). At 2000m: -5 degrees; at 3000m: -8 degrees.

The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually diminish.